The Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Program is now accepting applications for the Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Graduate Fellowships to attract and prepare outstanding young people for Foreign Service careers in the U.S. Department of State for the academic year 2023-2024.

The Pickering Fellowship offers a unique opportunity to promote positive change in the world.  Upon successful completion of a two-year master’s degree program and fulfillment of Foreign Service entry requirements, fellows have the opportunity to work as Foreign Service Officers in accordance with applicable law and State Department policy, serving in Washington, DC and at a U.S. embassy, consulate, or diplomatic mission around the globe.

The U.S. Department of State is the lead institution for the conduct of American diplomacy, and the Secretary of State is the President’s principal foreign policy advisor. The Department’s Foreign Service is a corps of some 13,000 employees dedicated to representing America abroad and responding to the needs of American citizens living and traveling around the world. More than 45,000 locally employed Foreign Service staff are also at overseas posts.

Why should you apply for this programme? The Pickering Program has made, and continues to make, an important contribution to the diversity of the State Department Foreign Service.  Fellows currently represent the United States in countries around the world, in areas as diverse as Africa, East Asia, Latin America, South Asia, Europe and Eurasia.  They are promoting human rights, assisting American citizens overseas, enhancing prosperity and development, deepening ties between the United States and people around the world, and supporting U.S. global values and interests in many different ways.

Application Deadline:  The application deadline for the Fellowship is September 21, 2023.

Brief Description

• University or Organization: The Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs
• Department: Foreign Service
• Course Level: Master’s
• Award: $42,000
• Number of Awards: 45
• Access Mode: Online
• Nationality: USA
• The award can be taken in the USA

Eligibility     

• Eligible Countries: USA.
• Eligible Course or Subjects: The scholarship will be awarded in any subject offered by the university
• Eligibility Criteria: To be eligible, the applicants must meet all the following criteria:
• Be a U.S. citizen.
• Have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale at the time of application.
• Seek admission to a two-year, full-time, on-campus master’s degree program at a U.S.-based graduate institution to begin in the fall of 2023 in an academic field relevant to the work of the Foreign Service.

How to Apply

• How to Apply: In order to apply for the programme, aspirants must have to complete the online application form.
• Supporting Documents: Completed applications will include the following materials.
• Personal background information.
• A personal statement (600 words or less) that discusses the applicants’ reasons for applying, interest in international affairs, commitment to pursue a career in the Foreign Service of the Department of State, and any relevant experience or information.
• Two letters of recommendation
• A statement of financial need
• Official financial aid award letter from the applicant’s last year of undergraduate studies
• FAFSA Student Aid Report (SAR) for the 2023-2024 academic year.
• Proof of U.S. citizenship may include a copy of (choose one) a U.S. passport, birth certificate, or certificate of naturalization.
• Transcripts from all colleges and universities the applicant has attended for credit.
• A copy of the GRE/GMAT scores report is sent to the student (optional).
• Admission Requirements:Fellows must obtain graduate degrees in international affairs or a related subject such as public administration, public policy, international relations, business administration, economics, history, political science, communications, or foreign languages at a graduate school approved by the Pickering Program.
• Language Requirement: If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence of your competence in written and spoken English.

Benefits

The Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs will provide $42,000 annually for two years of tuition, room, board, books, and mandatory fees to complete two-year master’s degrees. It includes up to $24,000 per year for tuition and required fees and an academic year stipend of $18,000.

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